INDUSTRY.
Ni trop α raff ins
Nea
Commercial Solvents puts finishing touches on $ 5 million plant culminating 2 0 / e a r s of research and d e velopment
Model becomes reality in the nitrators, heart of the newplant, housed in compact framework of center structure. Left foreground, recovery tower foundations
Three-dimensional scale models shown above were one of the most useful tools used by process group of engineers in reaching decisions on equipment position and plant layout. CSC shops at Terre Haute, Ind., built the models
STERLINGTON, LA.-In the final stages of construction near here is the world's first large-scale plant for pro ducing nitroparaffins. After 20 years of almost continuous research and de velopment, Commercial Solvents Corp. has now taken the big step by building tliis 10-million-pound-per-year plant. The present unit is only the first stage of a long range project which may later include additional nitration capacity and expanded facilities for production of the NP derivatives. The four nitroparaffins from Commercial Solvent's process are: nitromethane, nitroethane, 1-nitropropane, and 2-nitropropane. From these, CSC labora tories have already produced more than 2000 derivatives. Most important of the N P derivatives from a commercial viewpoint today are: 2-amino-2-rnethyl-l-propanol; tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane; hy droxylammonium sulfate; hydroxylammonium acid sulfate; and the Alkaterges. A considerable proportion of the NP's produced here will b e converted t o these derivatives either on location or in expanded facilities at CSC plants i n Terre Haute, Ind., and Peoria, 111. Vapor Phase Nitration. Nitroparaf fins are produced by the vapor phase nitration of propane gas at high tem-
Product separation towers of new plant where crude mixture ( containing high boilers, four NP fractions, and low boilers ) is separated first. Four NP's are frac tionated in continuous dis tillation system
Stainless steel recovery sections receive unreacted propane and nitrogen oxides which are re cycled. Construction provides warehouse, tank storage area, loading and shipping facilities
INDUSTRY duction unit provides at a central point a complete picture of process conditions for operating personnel. It continuously scans 70 key temperatures and, at pre-set intervals, types out on the plant log these conditions. At any time the scanner senses a deviation from one or more control points, it records these data and notifies the operator by means of an alarm. Special instrumentation in the new plant includes an infrared analyzer on the nitric oxide stream, hydrogen analyzer on the autoclaves in the derivatives area, and a mass spectrometer for nitroparaffin analyses. Advantageous Location. Putting the new NP plant in Sterlington was a logical decision for CSC. On this same plant site the company is already producing one of the two basic raw materials, nitric acid. Other favorable factors: adequate ofïsite facilities, good supplies of water, power and gas at moderate cost, good transportation, and adequate labor supply.
ommercial Reality perature. Heart of the process is the nitrator itself. Much of the CSC research has been concerned with optimum design of the reactor. The developmental plant built in Peoria first used gas-fired molten salt pots for vaporizing nitric acid and maintaining reaction temperature. Later both acidspray- and fluid-bed-type adiabatic nitrators were thoroughly evaluated in Peoria. The multiple-acid-spray-type nitrator, an original design by CSC engineers, proved to have important advantages over any other setup tried. Operations in the new plant are being centralized, using some of the latest developments in instrumentation. The control panel contains over 100 miniature recorders and controllers. It is supplemented by a console type multipoint temperature installation and a data reduction system. The data re-
J 1
Industrial Applications of the Nitroparaffins and D e r i v a t i v e s Product and Formula
1
polymers, and vinyl resins; synthesis of insecticides, explosives, and photographic 1
CH3N02
chemicals; selective solvent, ingredient of special racing and model engine fuels5 1 propellant. | Solvent for cellulose esters and vinyl resins; raw material for synthesis of pharmaceu- j ticals, insecticides, and surface active agents; ingredient of synthetic finish removers- 1
INITROETHANE 1
1
Application
INITROMETHANE I
The Dixie Ordnance Works, a government ammonia plant at Sterlington, was built and operated on this site during the war by CSC. The company purchased the plant in 1946 and since that time has more than doubled its ammonia output, added nitric acid units, ammonium nitrate solids and solution plants, and a large methanol plant. Methanol is involved in a number of the N P derivatives both as a solvent and as a raw material in the form of formaldehyde. Gas preparation systems for both ammonia and methanol offer sources for hydrogen used in making NP derivatives. Company Engineered. Actual construction has been by Ford, Bacon, and Davis. All designing of the n e w plant has been handled b y the CSC engineering department, since the commercial plant is based entirely on company process development and research. Ground was broken on June 2 1 , 1954. Scheduled completion date is mid-August.
CH3CH2N02
ll-NITROPROPANE 1 CH3CH2CH2NOo
Solvent for cellulose esters, vinyl resins and many dyes; raw material for synthesis- 1
12-NITROPROPANE 1 CH3CHN02CHM
Solvent for cellulose esters and vinyl resins; raw material for synthesis; heat sensi- j [ tizer for rubber latex; ingredient of synthetic finish removers. |
I2-AMINO-2-METHYL-11 PROPANOL 1 CH3C (CH3 ) NH2CH2OH
1 Emulsifying agent (in form of its soaps) for floor wax, paints, cleaners, and polishes; j stabilizer in urea and melamine alkyd enamels; raw material for synthesis; ingredient 1 of textile, leather, and other specialties. |
ITRIS (HYDROXYMETHYL) 1 AMINOMETHANE I (CH 2 OH) 3 CNH 2
Emulsifying agent in form o f its soaps; for synthesis of textile specialties, drying oils, 1 | and synthetic resins; analytical reagent. 1
12-AMINO-2-METHYL-l,31 PROPANEDIOL 1 CH2OHC (CH3 ) NH2CH2OH
Emulsifying agent in form of its soaps; raw material for synthesis; ingredient 0 6 1 textile specialties. J
IHYDROXYLAMMONIUM
Effective reducing agent, especially for metal ions; useful raw material for synthesis j of pharmaceuticals, dyes, rubber and photographic chemicals and synthetic fibers. 1
1 1
ACID
SULFATE NH2OH.H2S04
1HYDROXYLAMMONIUM 1 SULFATE 1 (NH2OH)2.H2S04
Reducing agent, especially for metal ions; reagent in dyeing acrylic fibers; for 1 synthesis of pharmaceuticals, rust and polymerization inhibitors, dyes, rubber, and j photographic chemicals; nondiscoloring short stopper for polymerizations. 1
IALKATERGES
Oil-soluble surface-active agent, emulsion stabilizer and acid acceptor; pigment grinding aid and dispersing agent for solids in organic liquids; antifoam agent; useful i n metal cleaners, polishes, and lubricants. Curing agents for epoxy resins, alkaline catalysts, stabilizers for melamine and other resin finishes, dye intermediates, and in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and surface active agents.
I
C,A,E,T
[DIAMINES ( CH3 )oCNH2CH2NHCH (CH3 )ο (CH3)2CNH2CH2NHC6H5 ( C H 3 ) o C N H 2 C H 2 N H C ( C H 3 ) >CH2OH VOLUME
3 3, N O .
33
·
·
I
AUGUST
15,
95 5
1 j 1 1 j I
3333
